KEEPING THE SHINE

The more you treasure something, the more you want to take care of it. That’s especially true when it comes to fine jewelry. Different stones and metals require different care. We’ll cover a few basic cleaning and care tips here, but please ask one of our experts if you have any questions or concerns.

PEARLS

Gently rub each pearl with a soft, clean cotton cloth dampened with a solution of two cups of warm water and a few drops of a mild dishwashing liquid. (Soaking strands of pearls can cause the string to stretch.) Let air-dry overnight.

DIAMONDS

Believe it or not, diamonds – the hardest substance on Earth – can be chipped or scratched. Avoid wearing diamond jewelry to the gym or to other locations where they may be subject to harsh physical conditions. And be sure to have a jeweler examine them each year.

Many engagement or wedding rings never made it back from the honeymoon because they were lost while swimming, so take special care with your diamond ring while you swim. Also, try not to wear your ring in chlorinated water, which can eventually damage the metal in the setting.

Cleaning is key to keeping your diamond jewelry beautiful. Soak them in an ammonia-based jewelry cleaner overnight, once or twice weekly. In the morning, remove the diamond from the cleaner and brush it with a soft, clean toothbrush to remove any leftover dirt. Take extra care to brush the back of the diamond as this will be the area that has collected the most oil and dirt. If there are other stones with your diamonds, make sure it’s safe to clean them with an ammonia-based cleaner.

And remember to store your diamonds away from other jewelry to avoid scratching. A fabric-lined jewelry case with separate compartments is ideal, but you can also keep them in separate pouches or wrapped in soft fabric or tissue paper.

GOLD WITH DIAMONDS

Soak for 15 minutes in a solution of two cups of warm water and a few drops of a mild dishwashing liquid. Gently scrub with a soft-bristle brush (a soft toothbrush works well). Rinse with warm water, and dry with a soft cloth.

PLATINUM OR PALLADIUM WITH DIAMONDS

Soak for 20 minutes in a solution of one cup of warm water and 1/4 cup of ammonia. Then gently scrub with a soft-bristle toothbrush. Rinse with warm water, and lay on a tissue to dry.

SILVER

Rinse in warm water and pat dry. If silver is tarnished, use a silver-polishing cloth or a jar of silver-cleaning fluid. Do not use toothpaste or other abrasive cleaners, which will scratch the silver. Wipe with a clean, soft cloth.

MAINTENANCE TIPS

Let us inspect and repair your jewelry every year. Remember, prongs can wear thin and diamonds may fall out; chains and pearl strands weaken with wear.